Miley Cyrus celebrated his Innovator Award at the iHeartRadio Music Awards with a heartfelt acceptance speech honoring him. Hannah Montana roots.
The “Slide Away” singer, 33, took the stage at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 26, to accept the honor.
In his speech, Koresi reflected on the 20th anniversary Hannah Montana, describing the milestone as “a dream come true.”
“My denim and gold scarf, thank you, because they have been waiting for ten years to leave the house,” he joked.
Koresi went on to credit Hannah Montana for being an influence in her real life, describing the character as “a huge inspiration in my career.”
“I liked the idea that you can create someone for yourself that will give you the confidence and courage to do things in an authentic way and that sometimes a fake can reveal the real you,” she said.
Koresi also showed that the idea of innovation has carried him throughout his career.
“Inventing new things for me was not about leaving what I had been following, but it was about maintaining the journey to find pleasure for myself,” she said. “I’ve always written songs and told stories because I love it, and winning awards for that work is beneficial to me, but it’s not my compass because if it was, I’m sure I’d end up lost.”
He added: “When winning is not recognition, but making art that reaches the hearts of people I may never meet, it brings me a kind of happiness with a deep meaning. I am very happy to share this moment with you. I am proud to stand here and tell you how important you are to me.”
Miley Cyrus.
(Photo by Brianna Bryson/WireImage)Since its inception in 2014, the iHeartRadio Innovator Award has been given to an artist who has made an impact on world music and culture during their career. Previous recipients include Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams, Alicia Keys, Chance the Rapper and 2.
In addition to the Innovator Award, Cyrus already has two iHeartRadio Music awards on his shelf after winning Best Lyrics for “Wrecking Ball” in 2014 and Pop Song of the Year for “Flowers” in 2024.
Koresi’s latest accolade comes just days after he celebrated his 20th birthday Hannah MontanaThe Disney+ special premieres Tuesday, March 24.
“I read this bad habit – but I actually think it was good advice from it [godmother] Dolly [Parton],” said Koresi Variety earlier this month on how the special came to be. “He told me that if you want something to happen, encourage it before it happens, no one can say no. Hannah Montana A 20th anniversary special that didn’t really exist.”
He continued, “I think even Disney sometimes forgets the connection between me and Hannah. It’s not just a TV show. I see every day how important Hannah is to people. When I travel, people bring me Hannah merch. They ask, ‘Are you going to do another season?’
In the special screening, Cyrus gave a speech reflecting on her big break as Hannah Montana.
“Everything in my life is amazing because Disney took a chance on me,” she said. “I had no business going out to Los Angeles thinking I could host a show or pretend to be a pop star. I had no experience. I’d done theater before. … There were some years when I thought they made the right call. I think it all worked out because whatever we got here in this room to honor and celebrate — not just the show itself — was the beginning of all of this, otherwise you’d never show it. [have] be what.”
He continued, “I might be the only one in this room who has never been to a Hannah Montana concert. [because] I was a Hannah Montana concert. But now I understand why it was so much fun to go to one of Hannah’s shows to dress up as her, wearing a wig and a scarf. That’s what it felt like for me to celebrate Hannah Montana – now from the other side.”
